Reason why Joao Cancelo cannot play for Barcelona in Champions League clash vs Copenhagen | OneFootball

Barcelona’s activity in the January transfer window was minimal, with the club completing just one piece of business, which was the loan signing of Joao Cancelo, who arrived from Saudi Arabia. 

While the experienced full-back has already featured in domestic competition, his situation in Europe is very different.

Despite being available for La Liga, Cancelo will not be able to play for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. 

The reason is purely regulatory and linked to UEFA’s strict squad registration deadlines.

Why can’t Cancelo play?

Champions League rules allow clubs to register a maximum of three new players for the knockout stages. 

However, these registrations must be completed before midnight on February 5. 

That deadline comes after the conclusion of the league phase and shortly after the winter transfer window shuts on Monday, February 2.

Cancelo cannot play against Copenhagen. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Once that window closes, clubs have a brief period to finalise their European squads. 

Teams are allowed to submit their updated list as long as they do not exceed 25 players on List A. Barcelona are comfortably within that limit, with 21 players currently registered. 

As such, the long-term injury of Andreas Christensen also gives the club additional flexibility in terms of squad balance.

In addition to List A, UEFA allows clubs to register up to eight players on List B. 

Notably, this list is generally reserved for younger players developed at the club. However, Cancelo does not qualify for List B, meaning his situation cannot be resolved through that route.

As a result, Barcelona were unable to register Cancelo in time for European competition, leaving him ineligible for the Champions League group stage.